Every year, October 2nd is celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti to commemorate the birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi Ji was born on October 2, 1869, into a Hindu family, in Porbandar city of Gujarat state. His father, Karam Chand Gandhi was the Diwan of Porbander State, which was a small princely salute state in the Kathiwar Agency of British India.
While celebrations can be found all across India and in many forms, there are a few that stand out from the rest. These include:
Where all three rivers : Ganga, Saraswati, and Yamuna - meet in Allahabad (Triveni Sangam)
Where Bapu (Gandhi) was shot on January 30th, 1948 (The Martyr's Column at Gandhi Smriti)
Where Bapu's body was cremated on January 31, 1948 in New Delhi (The Raj Ghat at Yamuna's bank)
At these celebrations, a number of customs are followed. Memorial ceremonies and prayer services are held as homage to Gandhi all across India. There are many artistic exhibitions, science displays, and even essay competitions held. Award presentations are made to promote Gandhi's ideal of non-violent life. Films are seen and and books are read that commemorate Gandhi's life achievements as well as the struggles he endured. At schools and colleges especially, students sing the famous song of devotion to Bapu called "Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram". Where there are statues of Gandhi, garlands of flowers are placed on them by the people. Many people also avoid eating meat or drinking any alcohol on this day.
Seeing India on Gandhi's birthday is truly a beautiful experience. It recounts the life of such a powerful leader who has had such an enormous impact over the independence of India and the lives of its people. Around the entire world, in fact, Gandhi is remembered in many ways. His impacts are felt far and wide, and they are held dear in such a way that they will never be forgotten.
